McCausland Encourages Applications To Become NI’s First Business Improvement Districts

SOCIAL Development Minister Nelson McCausland is encouraging areas throughout Northern Ireland to apply to take part in a Business Improvement District (BID) pilot scheme.

The BID consortium, appointed to provide support and capacity building for the BID scheme, has now launched a process for areas to make expressions of interest in becoming a BID.

Speaking about the BIDs scheme Minister McCausland said: “Becoming a BID enables Council and local traders to self manage and self-fund improvement projects, which aim to tackle specific local issues such as attracting more visitors to the area. There are around 140 BID’s in the UK in towns and cities of all sizes, from small towns with one BID such as Clarkston or Giffnock in Scotland, right up to cities like Birmingham or London, both of which boast a number of BID’s.

“I would encourage all areas considering establishing a BID to take the time to register their interest in becoming one of the pilots. This is a valuable opportunity to receive extensive support from experienced practitioners who have overseen the establishment of successful BIDs in many other towns and cities in the UK.”